Essay 1 Rubric: Narrative and Counter-Narrative

Essay 1 Rubric: Narrative and Counter-Narrative

Writer’s Name: ______

65 and below 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

Overall
Approach / The essay fails to respond appropriately to the assignment, is off-topic, or does not meet the page requirement. / The essay responds only partially or inappropriately to the assignment. / The paper responds appropriately to the assignment by analyzing one or more related cultural narratives that have impacted the writer’s life. / The essay responds appropriately and takes an innovative approach to the assignment.

MLA format & Structure

/ The essay is not presented in MLA format.
No clear structure is apparent; the essay is one long paragraph. / The essay is presented in MLA format but with significant errors in spacing, font, or layout, or it may be lacking a title.
Clear introduction and conclusion, although the body may be one long paragraph. / The essay is presented in MLA format with a correct header, name block, and title. It is double-spaced, has 1-inch margins, and is presented in a plain, 12-pt. non-decorative font.
Clear structure, with a well-defined introduction, logically organized body paragraphs, and a clear conclusion. / The essay is present in MLA format with virtually no errors. The title is appropriate to the essay and interesting. Excellent structure and organization that clearly leads the reader through the essay.
Intro. / The intro does not engage the readers and/or does not sufficiently introduce the subject of the essay. / The intro marginally engages readers, and provides some idea about the subject of the essay. / The intro engages readers so they are interested in the essay; readers have a clear idea about the subject of the essay. / The introduction thoroughly and effectively engages the reader and introduces the subject of the essay; readers are eager to read on.
Thesis / No thesis is apparent, and the focus is unclear. / Some thesis is apparent although the precise focus and/or specific argument of the discussion may be unclear. / The thesis statement is clear. / The essay has a clear thesis statement, and the direction the discussion will take easy to follow.
Dev. / The points are unclear and/or consistently undeveloped. / The points are unevenly developed and/or lack concrete detail. / Each point is well-developed with specific detail. / Each point is fully developed with vivid detail, clearly relate to one another and support the thesis.
Par. Unity / Most of the paragraphs lack focus. / Many of the paragraphs lack focus and/or may have problems with organization. / For the most part, the paragraphs are well-focused. / The paragraphs are well-focused and well-organized
Quotes / The essay does not include any relevant quotations from the reading. / The essay includes at least one relevant quotation from the reading but with significant errors in introduction and/or citation. / The essay includes at least one relevant quotation from the reading, with only minor errors in introduction and citation. / The essay includes at least one relevant, properly introduced and cited quotation from the reading. The context of each quotation is clear.
Significance / It’s not clear why understanding these narratives is important. / The essay gives some sense of why understanding these narratives is important, at least for the writer. / The essay gives a good sense of why understanding these narratives is important for readers. / The essay’s significance is clear, and readers are convinced that understanding these narratives is essential.
Grammar & Punctuation / Frequent errors in sentence structure, usage, spelling, or punctuation that significantly interfere with meaning. Word choice may be ineffective and awkward. / Occasional errors in sentence structure, usage, spelling, or punctuation, but only a few of which interfere with meaning. Occasional awkward phrasing or word choice. / The sentences read smoothly, and the writing may contain just a few errors in usage, spelling, or punctuation, but none that significantly interfere with meaning. Effective word choice. / The sentences read smoothly and are of varied structure and length. The writing contains virtually no errors in usage, spelling, and punctuation. Precise and effective word choice.
Draft & Peer Review / Draft was not completed and/or was not reviewed by classmates. / An attempt was made to write a draft and was reviewed by three different classmates OR a draft was written but read by two or fewer classmates. / Rough draft was mostly complete and was reviewed by three different classmates. / Rough draft was completed on time and reviewed by three different classmates

Grade: